“Have a tissue handy as you will feel lots of emotion while reading”
Reviewed by Sharon Salituro Posted January 26, 2015
Johnnie always hated her name. Johnnie was named after her uncle who died a few months before she was born. This isn’t the worst problem she has. Johnnie went through her young life with a mother who always disappeared, sometimes weeks, sometimes months before returning home. Johnnie also has an eating disorder.
Johnnie has overcome the eating disorder, due to the help of her husband Dale. Then one day everything comes crashing down around her. Back when they were first married, Dale was gone a lot on business, leaving Johnnie at home and very alone. Johnnie had a short affair with a man that Dale hated.
While trying to straighten her life a new problem arises. Her mother seems to be hiding out in town. Johnnie is only getting glimpses of her here and there, but can never catch up with her.
Kathleen M Rodgers’ book is truly an inspiration to anyone who has gone through an eating disorder. I did have a cousin who had this same problem, so JOHNNIE COME LATELY really touched me.
Eating disorders is not the only issue facing young people today that Rodgers talks about in JOHNNIE COME LATELY. She also discusses the effect that war has on those who go to fight and the family they leave behind, as Johnnie’s son enlists and this is one more problem Johnnie has to learn to deal with.
JOHNNIE COME LATELY is a great book. It’s a little hard to read this and not feel for the characters.